The Ontario government has set up its own version of the federal Own the Podium program widely credited for Canada's stellar medal counts in recent Olympics.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport revealed Tuesday it has earmarked $8.1 million for training and support for high-performance athletes ahead of next year's Pan Am Games.
The ministry said the money will help athletes, including those competing in para-games,  get more expert training at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario's new Pan Am Sport Centre on the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus.
Own the Podium was created in 2010 to prepare Canadian athletes to reach medal finishes at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and helped pay for improved training, coaching and athlete supports that helped Canada to a record gold medal haul that year.
Chris Rudge, chair of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario and former chair of Own the Podium, said his group is "grateful for the Ontario government's increased investment in high performance sport, and we are excited to deliver this support directly to athletes."
"From biomechanics to nutrition to coaching, the enhancements our specialists bring to athletes help produce podium performances," the Toronto business executive said. "Our new headquarters — the training epicenter for high performance sport in Ontario — will also enable us to provide daily personal and professional services to more athletes than ever before."
In announcing the funding, the ministry said the $8.1 million will be spent over three years at the sports institute out of the $42 million promotion, celebration and legacy fund for the Games.
The new 23,562-square-foot sports centre is nearly triple the size of the current facility and will be finished in September,  nearly a year before the 2015 Games. It will have equipment for high performance athletes and disabled athletes, along with the services of nutritionists, sport psychologists and trainers.
In addition, the province is introducing an International Amateur Sport Hosting fund to help sport organizations and municipalities hosting events, resulting in more opportunities for athletes and para-athletes to compete at home.
Ontario has come under fire for what critics say is lax budget controls for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan American Games, which are expected to attract 250,000 visitors and 10,000 athletes and officials.
"The opportunity to provide athletes with financial support and increased access to training facilities and sport science experts at the CSIO will be an important legacy of the 2015 . . . Games," said Tourism Minister Michael Chan, who is also responsible for the Games.
 Anne Merklinger, current CEO of Own the Podium, said her group "applauds" the province's effort. "Through this increased investment, CSIO will have the opportunity to leverage the legacy of venues and services from the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan American Games in its continued effort to influence the development of Canada's athletes and coaches with podium potential well into the future."

Ontario steps up, with cash, to Own the Podium

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